Christmas has a way of brightening people’s air. It’s like a new world, a new you. I wonder if that’s because Jesus’ birth was a day of new beginnings. Nothing more exciting than living in the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ all year around. But we don’t always do that. Christmas is so much more than silver bells, a boyfriend under the Christmas tree, lights around the roof top, and even getting out for Christmas break.
Christmas is about Christ. He is the reason for Christmas. Sit tight, grab your whipped cream cocoa and your red fleece blanket. It’s story time…
Many people know about Jesus, but not many understand the importance. If there was no Jesus, there would be no life, which means there certainly would be no Christmas. Imagine a girl named Mary, younger than a college student, becoming pregnant without having sex. This would probably scare the candy canes out of her. And Joseph, the guy she was engaged to marry! What was going through his mind? I wonder if he ever thought Mary was cheating on him. I wonder if he questioned his sanity. This babe Mary was surprisingly bearing was more than a child like you and me, and we’re pretty grand. Mary was carrying the man that would eventually give all He had for the sake of saving everyone. Divine Jesus came from perfection in Heaven to live life as a human on earth, so that He could die in order to rescue men from their sins. Mary had a real treasure, and in the Bible, an angel tells Mary she “has found favor with God” (Luke 2:27) Something we all need to understand is that Mary was far from perfect. However, God wanted to use her. Why? I don’t know, but think of her circumstance. She loved Jesus. She was young. She was obedient. I don’t see her being highly thought of. And consider Joseph. He was a real man of God. He listened to God when God told him to stay with Mary. Both Joseph and Mary took to heart what God had to say more than what man would think of them and say. When the time came for Jesus to come into this world, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem because they had to register for a census being taken. No inn was open, but the keeper of one inn allowed them to stay where the barn animals slept. Joseph and Mary knew God had destined His only Son, Jesus, for greatness. So the greatness of Jesus is His gift of life. We have life not only because of His birth but also because of His death and resurrection (Matthew 28:6). Think of it as His Christmas present to you, and it’s offered all year ‘round. What can you give Him? Your life.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -Romans 10:13
What about life after Christmas? I tend to mope because it’s all over, and I’ve probably gained ten pounds. Don’t get me wrong, Christmas is great. All the cocoa and candy canes, ringing bells, and flashy lights are enough to rock someone around the Christmas tree, but what do you do after it’s all said and done? Is it still a season of giving? Still cheery and wonderful? {Unless you’re one to become annoyed at everything red or green in the first place.} Every day is a day to give back and expect wonderful, not because we deserve it but because we know God’s grace is present. If you have Christ, your Christmas cheer is with you all year around. So when December 26 hits, be merry, never stop giving, and remember that little baby boy that changed everything.
